FSSI Supports Filipina Social Entrepreneurs in Redefining Rural Development

Manila, Philippines – As rural poverty continues to challenge agricultural communities in the Philippines, the Foundation for a Sustainable Society, Inc. (FSSI), a social investment nonprofit organization, is supporting women-led social enterprises that are driving inclusive and sustainable development. By providing financial services and capacity building opportunities, FSSI empowers Filipina entrepreneurs to transform rural economies through innovative, community-based business models that balance profit with social and environmental impact.

During its 30th anniversary celebration last September 5, 2025, in Quezon City, FSSI presented the inaugural Triple Bottomline (3BL) Awards to honor social enterprises—many led by women—that drive inclusive growth, climate resilience, and community-based innovation. The awards underscore the need to support local leadership in rural areas, where poverty remains high at 25.7%, and many farmers and fisherfolk still live below the poverty line, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority.

For some of the women leaders from rural multipurpose cooperatives, this persistent poverty is potentially driven by low farmgate prices, high production costs, recurring natural disasters, and limited access to markets and institutional support—even in years of productive harvests.

To confront these systemic issues, women-led social enterprises are filling critical gaps—creating sustainable livelihoods and introducing values-driven innovations in agri-processing, retail, and cooperative development. With support from FSSI, guided by the3BLstrategy that measures success by profit, social impact, and environmental responsibility, these enterprises receive tailored financing, technical assistance, and capacity-building to grow and scale their operations.

In Echague, Isabela, Caviteño Isabelino Multipurpose Cooperative (CAISA-MPC) tackles issues like pest infestations, climate change, limited market access, poor infrastructure, and lack of capital by expanding its services. With FSSI’s support through training, seminars, and capital loans, the organization was able to strengthen its operations and pursue its vision of focusing on people, planet, and profit. This has helped them grow and sustain initiatives such as pineapple production and processing, a rice mill, agri-machinery rentals, and a processing center, enabling them to better serve their members.

“Through FSSI’s support, we’ve trained our members, provided them easy access to financing, and built a cooperative that uplifts the entire community, and not just farmers,” shared Maria Victoria Anahaw, Chief Executive Officer of CAISA-MPC. “From a credit co-op, we’ve grown into a multipurpose cooperative with 800 members, providing meaningful services beyond lending that truly benefit our members and help improve their quality of life.”

Similarly, Lourdes MPC in Occidental Mindoro addresses challenges like low farmgate prices and high input costs through an FSSI-funded agri-supply store that provides affordable, quality products, along with agri-loans and small business loans to support farmer-members in diversifying their income and growing their livelihoods. “We prioritize products that truly help our members by ensuring quality and safety while listening to their specific needs,” said Jesrryl Maye Obispo Agnas, Officer-in-Charge, Branch Manager of Lourdes MPC. “It’s more than a store; it also empowers farmers to take better control of their production.”

In line with FSSI’s commitment to the 3BL, both cooperatives demonstrate how economic growth can go hand-in-hand with environmental responsibility and community well-being. CAISA-MPC, for instance, has adopted sustainable farming practices such as tree and bamboo planting along waterways and eliminating open burning. Lourdes MPC promotes climate-responsive planning and continues to assist members affected by natural disasters through both agricultural support and personal outreach.

Beyond growing sustainable businesses, these cooperatives are redefining gender roles in agriculture. In a sector long dominated by men, women like Anahaw and Agnas are leading with strength, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Supported by training, experience, and the trust of their communities, they are showing that women are fully capable of leading thriving, impactful enterprises.

“Filipina social entrepreneurs are proving that lasting rural transformation requires empowered leadership that cultivates communities towards sustainable growth,” said Sixto Donato C. Macasaet, Executive Director of FSSI. “To amplify their impact, we commit to invest in what truly sustains them—accessible capital, upgraded technologies, and continuous capacity-building that equips them to lead, innovate, and thrive.”

As rural communities face poverty and systemic barriers, these women-led, FSSI-supported enterprises provide a strong model for inclusive, sustainable development grounded in local leadership and lasting solutions.

To learn more about how FSSI empowers social enterprises and uplifts rural livelihoods, visit fssi.com.ph or follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FSSI.Philippines.

Oil Palm Plantation Generates Over 500 Jobs in Negros Occidental Amid Agricultural Development

Negros Occidental, Philippines – In a move to boost local agricultural productivity and support rural employment, over 500 jobs have been created in the municipality of Candoni through the development of Hacienda Asia Plantations, Inc. (HAPI), a company managing an oil palm operation in southern Negros Occidental. This project aims to revitalize the local farming sector and provide meaningful employment opportunities to uplift nearby communities.

According to HAPI, 90% of the newly filled roles are occupied by residents from Brgy. Gatuslao and the nearby barangays. The hiring covers a range of positions, including field engineers, pre-nursery leaders, site development managers, farm managers, heavy equipment operators, and administrative staff.

Established in 2023, HAPI manages a 4,000-hectare oil palm plantation in Candoni, which is the company’s sole agricultural site.

The development comes as the province continues to rely heavily on agriculture for economic activity. Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show a 96.4% employment rate in Negros Occidental in 2023. However, lack of access to formal work remains a concern in rural areas, with a 3.6% unemployment rate recorded during the same period.

“By introducing oil palm cultivation, we aim to complement the province’s agricultural strengths while expanding job opportunities and modernizing farming practices in Candoni,” said Felix T. Occeña, Jr., Resident Manager of HAPI.

Oil palm is considered among the most efficient oil-producing crops globally, offering high oil yields per hectare. According to the Philippine Coconut Authority’s Palm Oil Industry Roadmap 2024-2033, oil palm cultivation in the country grew from 53,014 hectares in 2012 to 63,380.85 hectares in 2022. Industry stakeholders have noted its potential in supporting agricultural diversification and rural income generation.

HAPI said its current development aligns with these broader goals. The company has introduced training programs for newly hired workers, focusing on agricultural skills development and sustainable land management. It noted that Candoni could serve as a model for agricultural investment in remote municipalities, where formal employment and infrastructure remain limited.

“As the oil palm industry continues to expand, we see its potential to become a sustainable and economically viable crop for both farmers and agri-businesses in the Philippines,” Occeña added. “Our goal is to promote sustainable agriculture across the province while contributing to the growth of rural economies. We hope Candoni can serve as an example of responsible agricultural development that creates real value for local communities.”

For more information on available job opportunities, HAPI directs interested applicants to its official Facebook page.

From Soil to Screen – PLDT Group Champions Smart Farming at Grow Asia Innovation Challenge Learning Labs

PLDT and wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) showcased their Digital Farmers Program (DFP) at the recent Grow Asia Innovation Challenge, underscoring the role of digital adoption in transforming Philippine agriculture.

Implemented in partnership with the Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI), DFP equips smallholder farmers with tools and training to integrate digital solutions into their farming practices—boosting productivity, improving market access, and promoting sustainable, climate-resilient operations. Amid challenges such as limited connectivity, low digital literacy, and an aging workforce, the program plays a vital role in modernizing farming at the community level.

As a member of the Philippines Partnership for Sustainable Agriculture, PLDT and Smart brought DFP learnings and insights to the recent Learning Labs—a dynamic two-day virtual workshop dedicated to supporting the top finalist of the Grow Asia Innovation Challenge 2025 in the Philippines.

PLDT and Smart shared their implementation approach and key insights in a virtual session titled “Digital Adoption and Literacy in the Digital Farmers Program.” The session brought together stakeholders from the agriculture and technology sectors to discuss inclusive strategies for engaging farmers in the digital economy.

The session included a workshop focused on designing accessible, user-friendly digital tools tailored to the specific needs of farming communities. Participants also explored ways to ensure these solutions achieve meaningful adoption and impact at the grassroots level.

Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart, emphasized the importance of partnerships in scaling impact. “Through our collaboration with DA ATI for DFP, we aim to enable the digital transformation of farmers across the country and build a truly digitally enabled agriculture sector,” said Orlino.

Kristine Magadia, Stakeholder Management Lead for Livelihood at PLDT and Smart, also shared insights on how the program has built digital confidence and opened economic opportunities for farmers.

Drawing from firsthand experience, Dr. Merrian Piquero Soliva, Information Officer III and Information Services Chief of DA-ATI Regional Training Center 7, shared key learnings from implementing the program at the grassroots level.

This support is part of the PLDT Group’s broader #FarmSmart program, which leverages technology to strengthen the capacities of Filipino farmers and agripreneurs. Through #FarmSmart, PLDT and Smart help farming communities increase productivity, improve access to markets, and promote tech-driven, inclusive growth. The program also supports national development priorities and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

PLDT, Smart link up with TikTok, DA-ATI, boosting farmer and fisherfolk income

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) remain fully committed to assisting partner farmers and fisherfolk in generating more income through the ‘Buy Local Bazaar’ program in collaboration with TikTok Shop and the Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Training Institute (DA-ATI). 

“PLDT and Smart firmly believe in the role of technology in extending livelihood opportunities that can help increase profits over time. Our initiatives on digital upskilling such as the ‘Buy Local Bazaar’, made possible by our partnership with TikTok Philippines and DA-ATI, will hopefully accelerate this advocacy further,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, Head of Stakeholder Management Team at PLDT and Smart.

Since 2019, PLDT and Smart have established and strengthened their partnership with DA-ATI to assist farmers, fisherfolk, and agro-enterprises towards digital literacy with the Digital Farmers Program.

 

“DA-ATI acknowledges the crucial role of digital technologies in helping our country’s primary producers become more globally competitive, productive, and resource-efficient. We continuously find ways to provide our local farmers and fisherfolk with opportunities for development, such as financial and technical support, among others,” said Engr. Remelyn R. Recoter, Director of DA-ATI.

 

She added, “working with our partners from PLDT, Smart, and TikTok Philippines can advance our mission to build more economies of scale and solidify the sector’s path to overall industrialization and modernization.”

 

The ‘Buy Local Bazaar’, a special selling event at TikTok Shop, has enabled over 50 agro-enterprises to strengthen their online presence and expand their market reach on the platform.

 

“Since the launch of TikTok Shop in the Philippines a year ago, our community of merchants and creators has continued to grow. The Buy Local Bazaar program with the support of PLDT, Smart, and DA-ATI is among the many avenues we provide to empower enterprising Filipinos with the means to engage with the larger community on TikTok, grow their social presence, and build authentic connections with their consumers,” said Toff Rada, Head of Public Policy, TikTok Philippines.

 

This is also an initiative under PLDT and Smart’s ‘eBizNovation’, a digital skilling-to-e-commerce program for MSMEs and cooperatives to help them grow their market reach and eventually generate more sales.

 

PLDT and Smart fully commit to uplifting the agriculture and fishery sectors through livelihood opportunities from technology. This is aligned with the United Nations’ SDG #1: No Poverty and SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Farmers, fisherfolk take on TikTok, with PLDT & Smart’s ‘Buy Local’ initiative

PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) actively lead agro-enterprises towards digitalization as an income-boosting tool by introducing them to shoppertainment, a marketing strategy that brings entertainment into commerce.  

To further this cause and in celebration of the National Farmers’ and Fisherfolk’ Month, PLDT and Smart have partnered with TikTok and the Department of Agriculture for ‘BuyLocal Bazaar’, a special shopping sales event at TikTok Shop to help boost the income of its partner farmers and agro-enterprise merchants.

“We at PLDT and Smart believe that technology plays a significant role in boosting Filipino livelihoods, especially during the pandemic. We have witnessed how learning about and utilizing digital tools can help farming communities and other enterprises adapt to changing times. This collaboration with TikTok and the Department of Agriculture can help level up our partners’ entrepreneurial skills,” said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart.

In the last two years, the PLDT Group has rolled out initiatives that supported the livelihood of farmers, cooperatives, Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), members of women and faith-based organizations, and indigenous cultural communities.

 

These include the Digital Farmers Program, eBiznovation learning sessions, FarmSmart Farm, PlantSmart, and ‘Buy Local’, all of which promote and help strengthen livelihood and food security across the country through technology-abled and purpose-driven solutions.

 

As the Philippines continues to make its way towards economic recovery, PLDT and Smart continue to work with like-minded organizations and other stakeholders to promote the use of technology to drive communities to progress and increase livelihood opportunities this year.

 

Promoting the use of shoppertainment aims to expand the online selling channels of PLDT and Smart’s partner agro-enterprises through generating entertaining content that emphasizes the relevance, fun, and community of online shopping.

 

PLDT and Smart’s partner agro-enterprises can create unique videos that will feature their products on TikTok Shop enabling them to reach a wider audience. This can also provide participating farmers, cooperatives, and MSMEs access to different markets through immersive and organic connection via a variety of content.

 

This initiative is under PLDT and Smart’s ‘eBizNovation’, a digital skilling-to-e-commerce program for MSMEs and cooperatives to help expand their market reach and boost their income.

 

PLDT and Smart have trained around 10,000 participants from MSMEs, cooperatives, and IP-led and small tourism business on technopreneurship topics such as social media marketing and selling on e-commerce platforms in partnership with various local government units and government agencies nationwide.

 

The PLDT Group remains fully committed to uplifting the quality of lives of Filipinos through livelihood opportunities from technology. This is aligned with the United Nations’ SDG #1: No Poverty and SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. 

Hack4Food: A Hackathon for Agriculture and Food Innovation

A call to action

Hack4Food: Agriculture and Food Innovation Challenge 2022 aims to foster creativity and collaboration in solving the challenges facing agriculture and food systems.  The agriculture and food value chain -- from production to distribution, and up to consumption-- can substantially gain from clever imagination and novel thinking.

The Philippines is home to an estimated 111 million people spread across its 7,641 islands.  Ensuring food sustainability and inclusivity for its growing population is serious business.  Achieving the desired state of agriculture will require a lot of work from both the public and private sectors. The youth of our country have a substantial stake in propelling the developmental progress of agriculture as they will inherit all its gifts and ills.

This one-week virtual hackathon challenges the youth to step up and make a positive impact in agriculture and food challenges. It is open to all stakeholders passionate about the fate of the planet and its inhabitants and committed to making a difference.

Hack4Food is brought to you by the Rotary Club of Makati (RCM), in collaboration with Rotary Club of Bay, Rotaract Club of Makati, and the Analytics Association of the Philippines (AAP).

Challenges

●       Improving the lives of farmers/fisherfolks through enhanced economies of scale (i.e., reduced production costs, increased yields, decreased cost per unit of output);

●       Empowering farmers through collective action and by aggregating their outputs into viable clusters that improve operations and profits;

●       Enhancing farmer profits through direct matching of producer and buyer; and reducing the participation of middlemen to the lowest possible level without adversely affecting the supply chain;

●       Supporting and encouraging farmers to engage in crop diversification, which has been proven to help fertilize the soil;

●       Implementing digital technologies and data analytics which enhance overall farm productivity and efficiency;

●       Creating object detection technologies that can aid in the production and/or distribution decisions;

●       Designing value chains that take into account climate change and other sources of risks;

●       Developing forecasting models and tools that guide decision-making in value chains;

Prizes

• 1st place - ₱50,000
• 2nd place - ₱30,000
• 3rd place - ₱20,000

Eligibility

●       Groups of 2-5 or individuals

●       Filipino citizens within the Philippines

●       No age limit

Registration

Please visit hack4food.co for more details. Deadline is on Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at 11:59 PM.

Contact

For any questions and concerns, please e-mail at info@hack4food.co.

Grab launches Salamat sa Ani initiative to encourage more Filipinos to give thanks to loved ones and frontliners, and support local farmers

March 2021, MANILA PHILIPPINES - Furthering its commitment to leveraging its technology and platform to create a positive social impact on the lives of many Filipinos, Grab Philippines, together with Zagana - the Philippines’ leading agri-social enterprise is launching its Salamat Sa Ani initiative on 17 March 2021.

Through the Salamat Sa Ani initiative, Grab is leveraging its technology and platform to encourage more Filipinos to show care and gratitude to their loved ones and frontliners who have been helping them to cope with the challenging times. At the same time, the initiative will also provide support to the farming communities that Grab helped digitalize since the Enhanced Community Quarantine phase, as contents of the Salamat Sa Ani gift sets are sourced directly from Zagana farmers in Benguet, Pangasinan, and Cavite. Each Salamat Sa Ani gift set - which includes fresh corn, bananas, and lime, is exclusively available on GrabMart for only PHP 299.00. 

Salamat Sa Ani is one of the latest GrabForGood initiatives led by Grab Philippines where Grab’s technology and platform are leveraged to support the needs of the Filipino communities and help improve their lives and livelihoods. During the height of the pandemic, one of the key GrabForGood initiatives led by Grab Philippines is GrabBayanihan - a program that leveraged Grab’s technology and platform to provide much-needed support to driver-partners, frontliners, displaced individuals, farming communities, and local governments. 

Leveraging Grab’s technology and platform to help local farmers overcome supply chain challenges

As highlighted in the June 2020 Report of the World Bank, the supply chain of fresh produce and agricultural products in many parts of the Philippines was greatly impacted since the implementation of the lockdowns. With limited logistics options for transporting the produce from the farms to the public markets and groceries and the sharp decline in customer foot traffic in physical marketplaces, the livelihoods of Filipino farming communities - as well as the food security across many households, were at risk to certain points that farmers were forced to throw away their produce.

Through Grab’s technology, platform, and its partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Zagana, fresh produce from farming communities were given wider market access through the Grab app through the Department of Agriculture’s 2020 Program Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita. Now, with a few taps on the app, Grab consumers get to enjoy fresh produce from local farmers, delivered straight into their doorsteps in as quick as less than an hour and at the same time supporting the local farming communities.

For Benguet-based farmer Ardan Copes, the partnership between Grab and Zagana provided new technology to farmers like himself who are used to traditional models for distributing and selling their produce. His main challenge when the pandemic hit was that there were too many vegetables wasted due to the absence of buyers brought by the quarantine. Copes shares that “through Grab’s technology and platform, Zagana farmers like himself were able to better reach and serve new consumers.” The partnership also gave farmers like Copes “a good market price for their produce which is why they did not hesitate to join the platform.” Copes adds that they “were able to continue with their livelihood despite the challenges of ECQ, which gave them a huge relief.”

Co-creating positive social impact within and beyond the Grab platform

Committed to contributing towards the Philippines’ longer-term socio-economic recovery and development, the Grab platform not only provides its consumers with the everyday value and convenience, but it also allows its users to co-create a positive social impact - within and beyond the Grab platform, with every transaction made on the Grab app.

With every order of fresh produce made on the Grab app, users are able to support the livelihoods of tens of thousands of driver-partners, MSMEs, and local farming communities who are also facing the socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic has truly impacted a lot of lives. Our partnership with Grab has allowed us to continuously serve our customers and support our local farmers, by leveraging Grab’s platform and technology to provide our kababayans access to fresh produce, delivered right at their doorsteps while providing a livelihood for both the delivery partners and local farmers during these uncertain times,” said Zagana Chief Executive Officer Joshua Aragon. 

“Using our platform and technology to help improve the lives and livelihoods of many Filipinos is what differentiates Grab as a community partner. We are grateful to have made a difference in the lives of millions of Filipinos through our GrabForGood program and we will continue with our commitment of using technology and our platform to encourage meaningful collaboration within our communities and help our kababayans overcome their daily struggles,” says Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz.

To know more about Grab and Zagana’s Salamat sa Ani initiative, visit: http://grb.to/salamatsaani

Grab, Dept of Tourism strengthens PH Harvest initiative; helps Filipino farmers through digitalization

PHILIPPINES - 23 June 2020 – Committed to being a partner of micro and small businesses to take advantage of the growing digital economy, Grab, the leading everyday everything app in Southeast Asia, has recently partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to support the agency’s Philippine Harvest initiative which aims to make fresh and processed local food products more accessible to Filipino households. This partnership follows an earlier agreement between the company and the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the on-demand delivery service for DA’s eKadiwa online marketplace initiative.

Running on its 11th year, the Philippine Harvest is a joint collaboration between the DOT and Stores Specialists Inc. (SSI) in promoting local, organic, artisanal, and indigenous food. This project is now made available online, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing farmers and SMEs to showcase their products and make these more accessible to consumers. With Grab’s expansive presence and services, the company is poised to strengthen DOT’s advocacy of supporting more local agripreneurs, especially at this time of the pandemic. 

“Grab is committed to leverage on its technology to support local businesses especially as we navigate through this new reality. As we lend our support to the farmers and SME partner-merchants under the Philippine Harvest program of the Department of Tourism, we hope that more Filipinos will support locally-grown products. Each purchase from the merchants of the program will go a long way in supporting our kababayans, and in promoting our own local culture,” says Grab Philippines President Brian Cu.

Through the agreement with DOT, Grab lends its platform to increase awareness on the Philippine Harvest through a promotional tile in-app. Once clicked, users will be able to browse through all the participating merchants and the different products they offer. Further promotion will also be done by the company through its various social media assets.

Aside from awareness, merchants will be able to focus on what they do best as Grab - provide mobility through transport. Through the GrabExpress fleet, the platform will be in charge of bringing the Philippine Harvest products to the doorstep of their customers.

“We are optimistic that as we provide support to the local agripreneurs, we will be able to work as one to help their businesses grow while also providing Filipinos a more convenient and accessible way to enjoy local products,” adds Cu.

Grab, DA team up to help Filipino farmers, agripreneurs through digitalization

Grab, the leading every day everything app in Southeast Asia, together with the Department of Agriculture (DA), announced a partnership that would protect and support the livelihoods farmers and agripreneurs through on-demand delivery service for DA’s eKadiwa online marketplace initiative.

Under Kadiwa ni Ani at Kita Program - a market system that facilitates the selling of major agricultural goods at reasonably low prices to the consumers in partnership with Local Government Units and the private sector, DA will be purchasing fresh produce from farmers and food growers, eliminating middlemen thus enabling farmers and food growers to earn more equitably from their hard work.

This project will give consumers across Metro Manila access to the many local produce offered by DA’s partner agripreneurs such as Ani Express, Zagana, and Benjabi, and will be delivered straight to their doorsteps through GrabExpress’ on-demand delivery service.

“Through our technology, Grab can showcase local produce especially to those who are staying at home and unable to shop at wet markets and grocery stores,” Grab President Brian Cu said.

Grounded by its commitment to using technology for good, Grab is proudly supporting the Department of Agriculture’s vision of unlocking the many potentials of agriculture and agripreneurship through technology and innovation.

“As we all cope with the pandemic and chart our nation’s path towards the new reality, I am always hopeful for the future of agriculture and agripreneurship in our country. As we all know our hard-working farmers barely make ends meet due to layers of middlemen, but with the DA purchasing fresh produce directly from farmers and agripreneurs, they are now able to earn more,” Cu added.

The introduction of Grab’s services in providing access to local farm produce is not only poised to banner and democratize technology to help Filipinos cope with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also aims to expand economic opportunities for local agripreneurs, create livelihood opportunities for thousands of farmers and agricultural producers across the country, as well as aid in easing the growing concerns on food security.

“We are hopeful that this local produce can reach far and wide through the technology and wide delivery network of GrabExpress. With such advances in technology, I am looking forward to seeing more agripreneurs and farmers growing side by side helping our kababayans through the new reality. We are very humbled, thankful, and excited to be working alongside the Department of Agriculture to help further their innovative concept of connecting farmers and agripreneurs to our kababayans, especially during these trying times.” Cu said.

UP alumnus cited for helping poultry farmers

The top executive of Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI) has been cited by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association for helping farmers join the local poultry industry through a broilers grower program.

BAVI president and general manager Ronald Mascariñas received the 2019 UP Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus Award in Entrepreneurship and Employment Creation from UP President Danilo Concepcion, during ceremonies at Ang Bahay ng Alumni at UP Diliman in Quezon City.

Joining Mascariñas as Distinguished Alumni awardees were Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri (Enterprise Development in Renewable Energy) and Associate Justice Marvic Leonen (Law and Judiciary). The Most Distinguished Alumnus Award was given to former Finance Secretary and Ambassador Edgardo Espiritu.

Also cited "for being a successful 'rags-to-riches' businessman in the country's highly competitive food sector”, Mascariñas graduated with a degree in agriculture from UP Los Baños in Laguna in 1982. He started BAVI’s operations in 2002 and led it to become the country’s top chicken rotisserie chain with retail brands Chooks-to-Go, Uling Roasters, and Reyal.

In 2004, UP Los Baños also named Mascariñas as Most Outstanding Alumnus in Entrepreneurship.

“Stack Overflow” for Agriculture Bags First Place at Hack4Rice 2019, a Hackathon Sponsored by Tekkie Pinas.

Manila, Philippines - The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) along with its technical partner Amazon Web Services (AWS), organized the Hack4Rice 2019 last August 30 to September 1. Hack4Rice is a software/hardware hackathon focused mainly on solutions related to rice science. Held at the IRRI Headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, the theme for this year’s hackathon is “Advancing Rice Research Through Tech and Innovation,” which aimed to bring people with diverse backgrounds together and nurture a community of collaboration and innovation. 

During the hackathon, the participants had the opportunity to interact with IRRI staff involved in rice research and operations, external partners, and so much more who were able to provide valuable insights about rice research in general as well as perceived pain points that the hackathon hoped to help alleviate. Aside from that, they got to experience the idyllic scenery of Los Baños, wonderful food, and the peace and quiet an escape from the urban jungles brings. 

The winners for this year’s Hack4Rice hackathon are Joel Eya, Jehan Punzalan, Lorenzo Cruz, and Julius Petre who are graduates from TUP Manila and St. Dominic College of Asia, respectively. Known as Team Blu, the team created a platform called Saka.PH for farmers to access information for free even through SMS and feature phones. It also includes a web portal that collects and interprets SMS messages sent by farmers so that the data can be used by NGOs, government, and private companies to help them decide on how to address any pressing issues. According to Joel Eya, their vision is for their platform to become the StackOverflow for agriculture.

Team Pilapil landed second place with a mobile app which serves as a career guide to high school students who are about to enter college. CroppyNet, on the other hand, won third with their creation of a better and inclusive agricultural marketplace by allowing interaction among suppliers and consumers of agricultural products through SMS, calls, USSD, and connected devices in the cloud.

A special award was also given to the top-performing team who took on an IRRI-sponsored challenge on phenotype prediction. The team in question who won was Humaygosh who worked on an artificial intelligence platform where crop breeders can use tools upload and visualize data, run machine learning algorithms, and collaborate with different domain experts to solve challenging problems in the field. 

One of the media partners of Hack4Rice is Amidextr, a content marketing, and events management company focused on serving tech companies in the Asia Pacific. 

“Farmers don’t have a lot of access to information because they live far from the urban community. The platform Team Blu created gave farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain much more comprehensive access to pressing issues regarding rice supply,” said Sofia Galve, a co-founder of Ambidextr. 

Through Hack4Rice 2019, the opportunity to expand the reach of the participants became available as they got to interact with people coming from different fields not only from the same team as theirs but with other participants, and stakeholders as well. This provided a nurturing environment for empowering each one as they continue to help make a positive impact on rice research through tech and innovation not only within the confines of Hack4Rice but even beyond that. 

With the interest that Hack4Rice achieved both within IRRI and outside, the organizers are already in the process of making plans for the next hackathon which they plan to be bigger and better.

ABOUT IRRI

The International Rice Research Institute is dedicated to abolishing poverty and hunger among people and populations that depend on rice-based agri-food systems. Through our work and partnerships, we aim to improve the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; promote environmental sustainability in a world challenged by climate change, and support the empowerment of women and the youth in the rice industry.

ABOUT TEKKIE PINAS

Tekkie Pinas has been created to be able to cater and provide the latest information on gadgets, software, events or anything in between that has been happening all around the world. We have been established in February 2013, to be able to cater to Filipinos here in the Philippines and abroad, and give them the latest happenings around the world particularly in the world of technology.

Brigada Eskwela: BAVI volunteers prepare five schools for class opening

Bounty Agri Ventures Inc. (BAVI) employees recently took part in the Brigada Eskwela program of the Department of Education. The nationwide program encourages organizations to donate and lend a helping hand towards refurbishing public elementary and high school classrooms and facilities in time for the opening of classes.

At the Punta Integrated School in Calamba City, BAVI volunteers, led by president and general manager Ronald Mascariñas, partnered with parents of the students and other stakeholders in repainting the classrooms’ walls, ceilings, chairs, and tables. The company behind the famous Chooks-to-Go oven-roasted chicken brand also donated gallons of paint and painting equipment.

“We at BAVI are committed to helping provide needy schools with classrooms that are conducive to learning. We believe that this will inspire our young students to study more, learn new things, including love for country, towards becoming the best that they can be,” Mascariñas said.

In Butuan City, more than a dozen BAVI volunteers also helped repaint the Taligaman Central Elementary School and Ampayon Central Elementary School using paint donated by the company.

BAVI also provided funds to the Amado V. Hernandez Elementary School in Tondo, Manila and the Balatong B Elementary School in Pulilan, Bulacan to support their activities during Brigada Eskwela which is also known as National Schools Maintenance Week.

BAVI bags top accreditation for people management practices

Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI) has been awarded an Investors in People (IIP) Gold accreditation by the IIP, a London-based global organization committed to developing people management practices worldwide.

“On behalf of the Investors in People Philippines, we would like to convey our congratulations to Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. on achieving Investors in People Gold accreditation,” said IIP president and CEO Gerry Plana and IIP chairperson Janet Webster, in a letter sent to BAVI president and general manager Ronald Mascariñas.

“We hope you will continue to be a role model in the Investors in People community in the Philippines and internationally. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you for [BAVI’s] contribution to raising the standards of leadership and management in our community and inspiring others through your good practices.”

In assessing the accreditation, IIP uses its Generation 6 Standards of Leading and Inspiring People, Recognizing and Rewarding Performance, and Delivering Continuous Improvement.

“We have always believed that for us to be ahead in our industry, we must take care and rigorously develop our people who take care of our business,” said Mascariñas. “This IIP Gold accreditation is truly encouraging as this is another confirmation that our people management practices are at par with the world’s best.”

BAVI joined the IIP in 2014 and has since risen up its accreditation ranks. In 2015, BAVI achieved its Bronze accreditation and progressed to Silver in 2017.

BAVI named Most Innovative Company of the Year at Asia CEO Awards

Bounty Agro Ventures, Inc. (BAVI), operator of the country’s largest rotisserie chicken chain, has been recognized as the Most Innovative Company of the Year during the Asia CEO Awards 2018, held recently at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City.

As the grand winner in the category, BAVI was cited for its efforts in innovating both the quality and variety in the way its chicken products are roasted and presented to the Filipino market.

In 2017, BAVI became the country’s first and only poultry integrator to introduce an all-natural, antibiotics-free chicken through its pioneering No Antibiotics Ever system. This eliminates the use of any antibiotics throughout the entire poultry production to ensure chickens are naturally healthy and safer to eat.

It was also through innovation that BAVI was able to expand its customer base, becoming the dominant market leader in the roasted chicken industry with more than 1,200 rotisserie stores nationwide.

In 2009, BAVI ventured into the food retail industry through its Chooks-to-Go oven-roasted chicken. With the brand promise of litson manok na ‘masarap kahit walang sauce’, the company introduced a new way to enjoy cooked chicken without the traditional sauce or gravy.

BAVI also introduced Uling Roasters Litson Manok, a fresh take on traditional charcoal-roasted chicken in 2013. This was followed by the launch of Reyal Litson Manok which boasts of unique butterfly-cut chickens and flavorful sweet-spicy sauces.

“We are honored with this prestigious recognition especially since innovation has always been at the heart of BAVI operations ever since we started as a poultry integrator company in Cebu and Davao. Like in most markets, our leadership in the local poultry industry relies mostly on how we innovate our manufacturing and operations systems and how we present our products to consumers. More importantly, innovation has been our way of ensuring that more Filipinos will enjoy our quality, healthy and affordable chicken products,” said Ronald Mascariñas, BAVI president and general manager.

The Asia CEO Awards is the largest business awards event in the Philippines and Southeast Asia, representing the grandest alliance of local and international business people ever created to promote the Philippines and recognize business achievers on the world stage.